Croydon Outdoor Pursuits & Social Events Club

Walk via Beachy Head to East Dean, 8.5 miles
2022-08-06 08:30 - 17:00 (Europe/London)
Meet East Croydon Station 08.50
Please note that on this walk there is plenty of ups and downs.
Bring your own packed lunch and wear comfortable shoes.

Naga tribes of Nagaland, north eastern India
2022-08-02 20:30 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom

Walk and Picnic at Harrison Rocks
2022-07-31 10:00 - 18:00
A bright eyed Viewpoint reader has pointed out that the listing in the centre pages of Viewpoint refers to this event as a Climbing activity.
This is not a climbing event, it’s a walk ! There might be some small hills to climb, but no rock climbing is involved.
No special equipment is needed, apart from the COPSE traditional and optional items of: bobble hat, hiking boots, gaiters, compass, OS Map, sandwich, drink, rucksack, anorak, gloves, and it’s hard to imagine needing more than sunhat, shorts and sandals in this heat.
Assemble at East Croydon by 10 to catch the 10:09 East Grinstead train, change at Oxted for the Uckfield train. Get a return Ticket to Eridge.
Firstly, we will take the train down to Ashurst, due in at 10:59. From Ashurst station, we will walk South East, via Groombridge. Groombridge is a sweet small town/larger village, with the added bonus of a heritage railway.
Our “picnic” is towards the end of the walk at Harrisons Rocks, which are the closest climbing rocks to London, and very popular. We are not planning any climbing, and beware that there are vertical drops from the top of the rocks. The idea is to observe the spectacle of the rocks and the climbers, from the ground.
From the rocks, it is not far to Eridge station for the train home.
Path route shown in orange dots on the map. If we want a longer walk there is an option for an extra loop from the Rocks to Eridge, marked in blue, to explore more on the way. There are hourly trains at 51 minutes past, and a convenient pub by the station to wait for the next train, or the one after. The Huntsman, open until 6pm.

Ruskin House Summer Festival
2022-07-30 12:00 - 22:30
In recent years COPSE have supported and enjoyed a few Summer festivals and other music events in Ruskin house.
This year Summer Festival is on Saturday 30th July, it opens at midday until 10.30 PM with live music throughout the day and evening.
Admission £5.
Julie has kindly offered to meet people by the entrance at 12. Otherwise you can join her and other COPSERS at any time after that.
Olga

Summer Evening Stroll - Heathfield
2022-07-26 19:00 - 22:00 | Heathfield, United Kingdom
The First Aid and Safety evening has been postponed and will be rearranged for later in the year.
Instead, Paul Carter has stepped into the breach for another Summer Evening Stroll. . .

Paul says:
Local Walk to Heathfield on Tuesday 26 July
In response to the good turn out for yesterday evening’s walk there will be another Croydon local walk.
You can join the walk either at:
7pm at Park Hill lower entrance Fairfield Road
7.20 pm gathering near Lloyd Park Tram stop
7.30 pm leaving Lloyd Park
The plan is to walk through Lloyd Park up and over Addington Hills. It is a short walk from there to Heathfield Gardens.
On the return journey there is the option to exit via the Coombe Lane Tram stop or join me passing Coombe Wood to finish at Lloyd Park tram stop.
Hoping for slightly cooler weather next week!!
Regards
Paul C

Follow Pissaro's steps in Norwood
2022-07-24 13:00 - 17:00
Camille Pissarro, father of Impressionism, lived in Crystal Palace for a year 150 years ago. Let’s look at places he painted back then and see how things have changed. He had family in West Dulwich and West Norwood so we include these places on our tour

Sadly there are a lot of rail engineering works next weekend but please bring your travel pass so we can use buses as required. There is a 468 bus from Croydon South End which passes the Fairfield Hall, Whitgift Centre and West Croydon stops.

Please bring water and snacks but we will pass plenty of places to top up on our travels. We’ll also find a pub to end our walk at – details to follow

PS Pissarro married his wife Julie at Croydon Register Office!

It would be helpful to know if you intend to come along.

If you want any further information and where to meet contact Julie – 07931533785

Walk – Brickfields and South Norwood Country Park
2022-07-19 19:30 - 22:00
A gentle evening stroll!
Meet at Blackhorse Lane Tram Stop 19.30. This is about 9 minutes from E.Croydon on an Elmers End or Beckenham Junction tram (not New Addington) Also bus 197 stops nearby.
We will walk through the Brickfields Park to Tennison Road, then via Enmore Road to South Norwood Country Park. After a circuit of that we will return from Arena Tram Stop about 21.00.
Trams back to E.Croydon from there, or alight at Addiscombe for a drink at the Claret & Ale, just 30 seconds from that tram stop. A very pleasant little pub!

Hamnet - Maggie O’Farrell
2022-07-18 19:30 - 22:00 | Ken’s Place

Camping - Great Kellow Farm, Cornwall
2022-07-14 08:00 - 2022-07-20 17:00

Travels in New Zealand
2022-07-12 20:30 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom

Visitor's Walk/Bike ride Warlingham
2022-07-10 12:00 - 17:00
Walk – About 5/6 miles. Meet at 12.40 by 403 bus stop, in front of Fairfield Halls to catch the 12.53 bus to Warlingham Green. (People can also jump on the same bus from other stops along the way.) Bring water and wear “sensible” shoes.
Cycle Ride – Meet at 1pm at Park Hill café, Barclay Rd. Gentle bike ride – quiet roads and bridleways, occasional busy road to cross. Heading to Farleigh, returning to South Croydon. Some unpaved paths on the way.
N.B. Walkers & Cyclists will meet up around 3pm, at St. Mary’s Church, Farleigh, for drinks and cakes!

Indoor Picnic with Theme
2022-07-05 20:30 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
This week we are having an indoor picnic – with a little bit of a theme. Although we ask people to bring their own food and drinks, it will be interesting to see if each COPSE Member can select “picnic basket” contents that will reflect an area they have come from, visited or from where they particularly enjoy the cuisine. Hence, the theme of our picnic is “International” or “Home & Away”.
The idea is not for people to supply sufficient to feed everyone else in the room but, if inclined, perhaps have some spare little “tasters” for anyone showing particular interest. Perhaps some of you might like to decorate your own eating space with the colours of a different area of the British Isles – or of a more far-flung cultural region/ background/nation.
From Cornish pasties to Welsh cakes or Scotch eggs; from Yorkshire pudding (cold?!) to a pot of Scouse; from a worldwide range of cheeses to tortillas or tacos, the choice and contributions will come from you.
Also, I believe there is still some Nigerian Guinness to wash it all down – although you can add your own choice of drinks, of course.
Time to eat and time to socialise – a pleasant Club Night in prospect.

Walk along the Thames - Battersea Park to Putney, 5-6 miles
2022-07-02 14:00 - 18:00
Meet East Croydon station 2PM

Visitors' Open Evening
2022-06-28 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom

COPSE at the Croydon Food and Music Festival
2022-06-26 11:00 - 19:00 | South End, Croydon, Croydon, London, CR0 1DP, United Kingdom
We have a stand in South End to publicise the Club and invite visitors to find out more.

Midsummer walk in Kelsey Park - Beckenham
2022-06-21 19:00 - 22:00
Meet at East Croydon Tram Stop in time to get the 19.09 tram to Beckenham Junction which arrives there at 19.34.
We will walk to Kelsey Park and around it.

Midsummer Picnic - Lloyd Park
2022-06-18 18:00 - 23:00
Meet at Lloyd Park at 6PM.
Bring your own picnic and games, blanket, drinks

Bring your Work Home with you, part 8
2022-06-14 20:30 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Six COPSErs will be sharing some of their workplace details with us this week. We don’t always know how each of us has been gainfully employed to earn the ££s so this will be a chance to dip into someone else’s working life and to discover how the “daily bread” has been achieved. There will be a considerable variety of occupations presented and, apart from the treat of learning something different and interesting, an actual treat awaits all of us who can make it through our hall door!

Please arrive for coffees / teas at 8.15pm. We hope to have folk in their seats and “the show on the road” by 8.30pm. Thank you.

London Square Open Gardens Weekend
2022-06-12 10:00 - 17:00

Walk Edenbridge to Limpsfield Chart - 11 miles
2022-06-11 09:00 - 17:00
Meet at East Croydon Station at 09:00 to catch the 09:22 train to Oxted. We will be walking around 11 miles from Edenbridge to Limpsfield Chart, via Crockham Hill.

Get a return ticket to Edenbridge Town station from East Croydon. From Limpsfield Chart we can get the 17:40 594 bus service back to Oxted. We may have time to have a drink at the Carpenters Arms.
Bring a packed lunch. The walk is mainly through fields and woods, and includes an ascent of the Greensand ridge.

Quiz Night - Expect the Inquizition!
2022-06-07 20:30 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Roll up tomorrow for our first in-house Quiz Night in a while, this time compiled and led by Nicky. Expect interesting questions, surprises and possibly even a working onscreen scoresheet.
Please arrive for 8.30 sharp(ish) so we can all get under way together.
And don’t forget, even if you can’t answer a question, you can at least impress the rest of us with your original and witty team name.

Jubilee Weekend Suffolk
2022-06-01 08:00 - 2022-06-05 17:00
FULL

Platinum Jubilee Night
2022-05-31 20:30 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Dear All,

This will be the night to bring along your or your family’s memorabilia from the reign of QE II. Anything that is connected with her past seventy years, her 1953 coronation or anything further back that has any “royal” connection. We’ll have a display table set up in the room for your mugs, books, tea towels, teaspoons, etc. Surprise us with what has remained stowed in your home!

Please try to bring a contribution of food. Probably, most of us try to be healthy with outdoor exercise and our regular dietary choices. However, for one night, we’ll indulge ourselves in the “cuisine” that would have been common party food during 1952/3 or that has any royal connection. (Think sausage rolls, sardine, jam, spam, or hard-boiled egg sandwiches; coronation chicken, Victoria sponge, jammy dodgers . . . and so on.) Whatever comes through our hall door will be shared so please do try to bring something, if you can. Also, please pop into a bag and bring along your own plate or bowl, plus cutlery, so no-one is faced with an extra washing-up task in our hall kitchen.

To add to the sense of occasion, don any early ’50s attire that you can think of. If you really can’t dress in period style, try at least, to go for something red, white and blue.

It’s planned to have some little appropriate challenges / party games. There will be points! There will be a prize!!

Mostly, whatever happens will depend on your involvement so come along with the thought of having a good COPSE “D.I.Y.” time.

Regards,
Ireen Best

Walk in Riddlesdown
2022-05-29 10:00 - 17:00
Two opportunities to meet:

Riddlesdown Station, 10.09 from East Croydon arriving 10.17.
Bus stops on Mitchley Avenue at about 10.30, at the junction with Lower Barn Road.

Bus 412:

from Purley High Street at 10.08 – 5 minutes
from Croydon, Park Street at 9.50 – 25 minutes

The walk will range over parts of Riddlesdown, Kenley and Coulsdon commons, circling back to the start points.
Nine miles, mostly off road. Hilly in parts with occasional steep bits – but if I can do it . . . .
Expect mud here and there if there’s been any rain.
Optional pub stop for lunch/beer after about 5 miles.
Many opportunities to leave the walk early if preferred, by bus and train.

Walk London Bridge to Hackney
2022-05-28 10:00 - 17:00
Meet @ East Croydon station from 9.45am to catch the 10am train to London Bridge or meet at meet on the upper concourse at the end of platform 12.
The walk is about six miles via London bridge, city “skyscrapers”, Spitalfields market, Shoreditch High street, a visit (free) to “the Museum of the Home” (formerly” the Geffrey Museum”), Hackney City farm, Broadway market (lunch stop), Regents Canal, Old Street, Moorgate, and more city “skyscrapers” before heading back to London Bridge station at about 4.30pm.
For any query contact Keith on 07749 515486 (any calls after 7pm please)

Planning Meeting
2022-05-26 19:30 - 22:00 | Crown & Pepper, 242 High Street, CR0 1NF
Planning Meeting for both Outdoor and Club Night activities.
This is where we put together the next quarter’s schedule – your chance to get your ideas onto the Club plan. Bring along your proposals for activities we can all share.

Musical Instruments
2022-05-24 20:30 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
As you’ve seen from Ireen’s email, it’s dedicated to the fun and frolics of exploring the world of musical instruments.
This is your chance to show off your hitherto unsuspected virtuosity on the kazoo, or just to try an instrument you have always hankered after – or possibly have never even heard of.
We’ll have a variety of examples of instruments strange and familiar in the Hall. The idea is to give any of them a try, satisfy curiosity and have fun.

Musical skill and training definitely not a prerequisite!

Ireen’s words:
Dear All,
We do hope both those of you with musical ability, plus those who think they have none will come through the door this Tuesday! If you believe you belong in the latter category, don’t worry – there will be a chance to try spare instruments and to enjoy this “have a go” opportunity. Members with musical ability will be assisting others to try things out.
Please remember to bring with you any of your own instruments – or, perhaps, from the loft, the ancient family one you found that once belonged to a grandparent! We’ll share any talent around and everyone can try to produce some harmonious sounds – or otherwise! Should be fun. Remember: percussion, brass, wind, string – all instruments welcome.
The attached photos show the Ashcroft stage at the Fairfield Halls last night. It was filled with guitars and four talented musicians. Unfortunately, we shan’t have those young men with us at our hall but their playing might have inspired any other COPSERs who attended the evening. If you have a double-necked guitar, do bring it to show us.

Walk Denbies, West Humble and Mickleham 8 miles
2022-05-22 09:30 - 17:00
Circular 8 miles walk from Dorking around Denbies, West Humble and Mickleham.
Meet at East Croydon Station @ 9.40 to catch the 9.59 train to Dorking Deepdene via Redhill. Buy return ticket.
Expect some hills and bring your own packed lunch.

Croydon Heritage walk in South Norwood
2022-05-21 14:00 - 17:00
We will explore the social and religious history, architecture, religions, famous people associated with the area eg Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle, Pissarro and Shirley Bassey, and it’s industrial past.

The tour will start and end at Norwood Junction station. We will aim to depart at 2.30 pm. There is a train from East Croydon at 2.15 and one from West Croydon at 2.16.

We will have a park stop if you want to bring your own refreshments but we pass some cafes also and my house for toilet breaks! My thinking is we will finish c 5pm then for those who want to stay around afterwards to stay for drinks and food there are a few nice choices. It would be useful to have some idea as to numbers. The whole walk will be dog friendly and there is some street parking for drivers. If you need to contact me on the day my number is 07931533785

Walk to Coombe Gardens to see the flowers.
2022-05-17 19:00 - 22:00
Meet at Lloyd Park tram stop at 7.30
OR
By Park Hill Park entrance (Barclay Road) at 7.10
Drinks at the Coombe Lodge Pub
